Golden goodbye

Moody, Hall claim top spots at state championship meet

May 27, 2026 by Ken Lay

The 2026 Class AA high school track and field season is in the rearview mirror, and it has left Anderson County High School Coach Harrison Calhoun and his staff with a wide range of emotions.

“The season is over, and at the end of the season, it’s always bittersweet,” Calhoun said after watching two of his athletes combine to win three state championships Tuesday, May 19, at the University of Tennessee’s Tom Black Track in Knoxville.

“I think about what I did right and what I did wrong. It’s all just always bittersweet.”

And then, there is bidding farewell to the seniors.

“That’s another thing,” Calhoun said. “We’re losing some great kids.”

Two of those seniors brought home state championships.

Lady Mavericks distance specialist Ava Moody closed out her high school career as one of Anderson County’s most-decorated athletes. She won eight combined state titles in indoor and outdoor track, along with two Class A/AA state cross country championships.

Moody won both the 1,600-meter run and the 3,200-meter run, pulling off the distance double for the first time in her high school career. She crossed the finish line in 5 minutes, 1.68 seconds in the 1,600 and finished the 3,200 in 11:18.06.

“That’s eight championships, counting indoor, and I just love running,” Moody said. “I want to thank the people who made it fun for me.

“This is a great way to finish my senior year.”

Moody will continue her career at Lipscomb University in Nashville.

Joseph Hall also delivered a golden finish for the Mavericks, winning the boys long jump. Hall, a senior, cleared 22 feet, 9.25 inches on his final attempt on the state’s grand stage.

“It feels good, and I just want to thank God for giving me the athletic ability to do this,” said Hall, who was making his second appearance at the state championships. “I want to thank my coaches at Anderson County High School.”

Like Moody, Hall will compete at the collegiate level. He will continue his career at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, where his parents will be able to make a short trip to watch him compete at home meets.

“I’m going to Carson-Newman for the long jump,” Hall said. “That was my first offer, and my parents are excited about it.”

Mavericks distance specialist Cameron Hardy closed out his junior season by finishing eighth in the boys 3,200 with a time of 10:00.15.

Hardy finished third at the state sectionals Thursday, May 7, at Maryville College, posting a time of 9:33.84. He then had to wait to see whether he qualified for the short trip to Knoxville for the state championships.

“I was nervous all last week, and I didn’t think I could be more nervous than I was last week,” Hardy said. “I think it got in my head a little bit today.”

While Calhoun will take the next few weeks to review the recently completed season, he said he has plenty to be happy about.

“We’re losing Ava, Joseph and Luke,” Calhoun said, referring to two-time state shot put champion Luke Dark. “Those kids are all great kids, and they’ve all had a big impact on our program.

“It’s good when you have people competing in four events at state, and three won.”

Dark won the state shot put title in 2024 and 2025, but did not advance from the sectionals in 2026.

Calhoun also expressed gratitude to his coaching staff, which includes MaryKate Longmire and her sister, Mollie Fox.

“They do a good job,” Calhoun said. “We all have our roles. Mollie is the cross country coach, so she coaches distance, and she’s a calming force.

“MaryKate and I work with the sprinters and in the field events, and sometimes we argue, but they’re the reason our program is so successful.”